Costa Mesa police arrest two linked to auto theft

Costa Mesa police Friday morning arrested a man and a woman on suspicion of grand theft auto, authorities said.

Laura Felix, 25, of Santa Ana, and Adrian Soto, 23, of Orange, were also booked on outstanding warrants, according to a police news release.

An officer who was at the Ana Mesa Motel in the 3500 block of Harbor Boulevard near the Santa Ana border “registered a ‘hit’” on his computer noting that the car, a 1994 red Honda Civic parked nearby, was probably stolen, the release said.

Officer Jason Hatton had been patrolling motels in the northern part of the city at the time. He and other officers investigating the situation were led to a room at the Ana Mesa where the couple were staying.

The car, which was reported stolen from an apartment complex in the 3400 block of the Avenue of the Arts, was returned to its owner.

The pair were booked into Orange County Jail. Bail was set at $40,000 for Felix and $20,000 for Soto.

— Jill Cowan

Twitter: @jillcowan